Hobart might not sound like a destination that belongs on a bucket list, but it definitely should be.

The Thirsty Travellers have fallen in love with the Tasmanian capital and its irresistible combination of spectacular scenery, fabulous food and great beverages.

The universe took care of us from the moment we checked into Crowne Plaza Hobart and were upgraded to a suite.

The suite was bigger than some apartments we’ve lived in and even featured a freestanding bathtub.

Staying in a suite also gave us access to a private rooftop bar with views over the city and harbour, where complimentary drinks and canapes were served from 5-7pm every night, followed by a complimentary hot and cold breakfast every morning.

And now for our must-do experiences while in Hobart …

Make sure you’re in town on a Saturday morning for Salamanca Market. The famed market is located on the harbour and features more than 230 stallholders, representing local artisans, designers and producers. 

And don’t miss trying a famed scallop pie from the Smith’s van.

If it’s a clear day, follow your market meandering with a drive up Mt Wellington, which towers impressively over the city. The landscape at the top was so otherworldly and alpine-like, whipped by icy winds, but it is well worth braving them for the fantastic view.

On your way back to town, head to the historic Cascade Brewery, set in the foothills of South Hobart, to sip a pot of cider in the afternoon sun. Cascade is the oldest operating brewery in Australia and you can also book a historic tour of the grounds or inside the working brewery.

Hobart is paradise for foodies. We booked lunch at the Agrarian Kitchen in New Norfolk during our stay. The Australian describes it as a “destination restaurant” worth travelling 30 minutes out of Hobart to experience.

The restaurant is located in the town’s old mental asylum. The vast space features large windows and high ceilings lined with the original pressed metal, while the old exercise yard has been converted to a kitchen garden.

The set menu featured a parade of luscious morsels, on our visit I enjoyed the most delicious brussel sprouts I’ve ever tasted.

On your return to the city, make sure to explore its bar scene. Two of our favourite haunts are Rude Boy and The Still.

Rude Boy features gorgeous tropical decor and its curved velvet booths are a great place to settle for the evening with a rum cocktail and a plate of fried chicken.

A few blocks away you’ll find The Still. Housed in the old Mercury Print room, the bar serves more than 150 local spirits by the measure. It also makes our all-time favourite Old Fashioned, featuring Lark Symphony No.1 Whisky, mango, maple syrup and orange.

There are also numerous day trips worth taking.

Make sure to catch a ferry to MONA and its famed wall of vaginas. The artwork is fascinating, as is a little room beside it called the Ladies Lounge, which men aren’t allowed to enter and is filled with green velvet and priceless artworks and mysterious serpent-like soft furnishings.

We also loved the water sculpture nearby that literally rained words. And we were fascinated by the Egyptian sarcophagus with a life-sized screen beside it, which gradually reveals what the skeleton looks like inside.

Treat yourself to lunch at The Source restaurant at MONA. On our visit we were blown away by a dish of fried buttermilk cauliflower, almond cream, tahini dressing, pomegranate burnt honey, puffed wild rice & garlic crisps. Insanely good.

We rounded out the day by sipping glasses of wine on outdoor beanbags in the sun, overlooking the river.

If you have a car, it’s worth the drive to Kettering to catch a ferry to Bruny Island for the day.

Our first stop was The Neck Lookout, which gives a fabulous view of North and South Bruny Island, then we drove to the far end of the island to Cape Bruny to climb to the lighthouse.

We enjoyed lunch with a view of picturesque Adventure Bay at Pennicotts restaurant. We were too late to join the 1.30pm cruise, but devoured delicious rolls and Frank’s cider.

Sadly the oyster hut had run out of stock by the time we drove past, so we grabbed some chocolate from Bruny Island Chocolate Company and queued for a ferry back to the mainland.

Finally, it’s also worth heading to Port Arthur and we would advise staying the night nearby if you have time. On our visit we stopped at Dunalley for a seafood feast at The Cannery, overlooking Boomer Bay.

A seafood platter for one plus six oysters was an ample feast for two, paired with delicious Lost Pippin cider.

After lunch we drove to the former penal colony of Port Arthur, where we roved around the grounds reading plaques detailing fascinating – and often harrowing – tales of prison life.

A boat tour was included with our entry ticket and gave a great commentary about the Isle of the Dead cemetery island off shore and the country’s first children’s gaol, Point Puer Boy’s Prison, which housed inmates as young as nine.

We stayed the night in a cabin at Port Arthur Holiday Park. Our accommodation wasn’t luxurious, but it was well appointed and had the most wonderful water view from its balcony, where we sat sipping Tassie wine in the late afternoon sun.

We also thoroughly recommend going on a Pennicotts Tasman Island Cruise, a three-hour wilderness cruise along the spectacular coastline between Port Arthur and Eaglehawk Neck.

It is filled with dramatic scenery and wildlife encounters. During our cruise, pods of dolphins frolicked around the boat, albatrosses swooped through the air and we pulled into coves crammed with seals and furry black pups, who poked their heads up between the rocks to check us out.

We’re yearning to return to Tasmania to explore the island further. It’s a sensational spot and one that deserves more than a few days of exploration.